Faecal Impaction Presenting as Acute Appendicitis: A Report of 2 Cases

Abstract

This paper highlights different manner in which faecal impaction presents i.e. with acute severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Two illustrative cases of young adult males are presented, they had clinical features suggestive of acute appendicitis, which turned out to be due to faecal impaction. Digital rectal examination and plain abdominal x-rays were helpful in the diagnosis of faecal impaction. The simple treatment of soap and water enema with oral liquid paraffin ensured that unnecessary appendicectomies were avoided. Interestingly one of the patients developed an acute appendicitis 5 months after his initial presentation when he had recurrent faecal impaction. He had an appendicectomy performed. A cause and effect relationship between faecal impaction and acute appendicitis is also discussed briefly.


(Nig J Surg Res 2001; 3: 93 –99)


KEY WORDS:

Right Lower Quadrant Pain, Appendicitis, Faecal Impaction